While millions of Americans now have greater access to affordable health insurance, our country’s lack of paid leave policy leaves many unable to actually take advantage of the benefits of preventative care. Too often, leave without pay creates financial turmoil for families, especially low-income and single parents.

Parents with paid sick and family leave are better able to respond to their children’s health care needs.

As a result, children have improved health outcomes. Since California passed its Paid Family Leave program in 2002, mothers with access to paid time off are more likely to take six to eight weeks of leave around childbirth, the minimum amount of time recommended by physicians. New mothers on paid leave are more likely to breastfeed their newborns and take them in for regular pediatric checkups and immunizations. As expected, children recover from illness quicker, return to school sooner, and are less likely to spread disease to classmates when their parents stay home to care for them. A few studies even suggest that access to paid leave during an infant’s first year leads to positive cognitive and behavioral effects in the future. Paid sick and family leave enables parents to balance work and caregiving demands and enables families to remain financially secure.

Check back on our site regularly to learn more about how paid leave policies benefit families, businesses, and the economy.